Method and apparatus for measurement of mechanical characteristics of a cement sample

Abstract

A system for non-destructively measuring the strength of a cement slurry sample includes an elongate sample container for receiving a cement slurry sample. The elongate sample container has a mass mounted at its first end. A transducer mounted at a second end of the elongate sample container vibrates the elongate sample container and mass. The elongate sample container, mass and transducer have a known resonance. The system calculates the strength of a tested cement slurry within the elongate sample container as a function of variation in resonance of the elongate sample container, mass and transducer.

1. A system for non-destructively measuring the strength of a cement slurry sample comprising:
 an elongate sample container for receiving a cement slurry sample, said elongate sample container having a mass mounted at a first end thereof; 
 a transducer mounted at a second end of said elongate sample container for vibrating said elongate sample container and mass, wherein said elongate sample container, mass and transducer have a known resonance; and 
 means for calculating the strength of a tested cement slurry within said elongate sample container as a function of variation in resonance of said elongate sample container, mass and transducer. 
 
     
     
       2. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , including:
 a pressure vessel for containing said elongate sample container. 
 
     
     
       3. The system as claimed in  claim 2 , including:
 means for introducing a fluid into said pressure vessel. 
 
     
     
       4. The system as claimed in  claim 3 , including:
 means for heating said fluid in said pressure vessel. 
 
     
     
       5. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said transducer includes a piezoelectric element. 
     
     
       6. The system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said piezoelectric element includes a ceramic element. 
     
     
       7. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means for calculating includes a computer. 
     
     
       8. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said elongated sample container includes a cylindrical tube. 
     
     
       9. The system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said mass is removably mounted to said cylindrical tube. 
     
     
       10. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , including:
 means for pressurizing a fluid in said pressure vessel; and, 
 means for heating said fluid in said pressure vessel. 
 
     
     
       11. A method of non-destructively measuring the strength of a cement slurry sample comprising:
 introducing a cement slurry sample into an elongate sample container, said elongate sample container having a mass mounted at a first end thereof, said elongated sample container and mass having a known resonance; 
 vibrating said elongate sample container and mass with said cement slurry sample contained in said elongate sample container; and 
 means for calculating the strength of a tested cement slurry within said elongate sample container as a function of variation in resonance of said elongate sample container and mass with said cement slurry sample contained in said elongate sample container. 
 
     
     
       12. The method as claimed in  claim 11 , including:
 placing said elongate sample container in a pressure vessel. 
 
     
     
       13. The method as claimed in  claim 12 , including:
 introducing a fluid into said pressure vessel. 
 
     
     
       14. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , including:
 heating said fluid in said pressure vessel. 
 
     
     
       15. The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said vibrating includes:
 mounting a transducer to a second end of said elongate sample container. 
 
     
     
       16. The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said transducer includes a piezoelectric element. 
     
     
       17. The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said elongated sample container includes a cylindrical tube. 
     
     
       18. The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said mass is removably mounted to said cylindrical tube. 
     
     
       19. The method as claimed in  claim 11 , including:
 pressurizing a fluid in said pressure vessel; and, 
 heating said fluid in said pressure vessel. 
 
     
     
       20. The method as claimed in  claim 11 , including:
 pressurizing said elongate sample container; and, 
 heating said elongate sample container.